as in tale
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people
West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling
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Recent Examples of folktale
Below, see the streamer’s list of authors to watch, from contemporary folktales and family dramas to dark fantasy and spicy time travel tales.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
To keep her on track, Hero tells Cherry stories each night, loosely adapting the framework of the classic collection of Arabic folktales One Thousand and One Nights.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Atmospheric principles and folktales, spirit and substance, opposites and inversions.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The story centered on a young Palestinian man living in Jerusalem who must save his family after a Ghouleh, a female demon from his grandmother’s folktales, arrive in his town and threatens his home.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
To keep her on track, Hero tells Cherry stories each night, loosely adapting the framework of the classic collection of Arabic folktales One Thousand and One Nights.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Atmospheric principles and folktales, spirit and substance, opposites and inversions.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The story centered on a young Palestinian man living in Jerusalem who must save his family after a Ghouleh, a female demon from his grandmother’s folktales, arrive in his town and threatens his home.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktale
Noun
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His plays — rife with exploration of deep humanity and emotion — provide not just a framework for hanging many different worlds upon his words, but also the kind of complex characters and twisted tales that actors and filmmakers crave, whether tragedy, romance or comedy.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The affable comedian and improv star is known for a self-deprecating brand of humor that leans into storytelling, audience interaction and behind-the-scenes tales from the long-running hit show.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His 2,573 career points (including 28 as an eighth grader) ranks sixth on the Orlando area all-time scoring list — which is topped by Edgewater legend Darius Washington (2,961) and Winter Park great Austin Rivers (2,956).—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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An honorary Masters starter since 2010, Nicklaus was again joined by fellow golf legends Gary Player — who is 90 and has been a ceremonial starter since 2012 — and Tom Watson — who is 76 and joined the group in 2022.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Her supporters, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, a family friend, decried her alleged detainment, and her story sparked outcry and protests.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Much of Taylor’s life is shrouded in mystery and myth.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
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The ‘myth of mass exodus’ Building on its data showing New York office space is still in high demand, JLL argued that the robustness of New York’s business sector is also dependent on a steady supply of qualified labor, which indicates that high-quality talent still gravitates toward the city.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The history of struggle against technology is also the history of struggle over what makes the human different from the machine.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
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Indiana still needs two wins to avoid posting the lowest single season victory total in the franchise's NBA history.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His plays — rife with exploration of deep humanity and emotion — provide not just a framework for hanging many different worlds upon his words, but also the kind of complex characters and twisted tales that actors and filmmakers crave, whether tragedy, romance or comedy.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Only film-lover Bella retains a shred of optimism into adulthood, having started a new romance with a film usher.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Folktale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktale. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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